Friday, May 8, 2015

Work-Over-Time 2015

This year our final bulletin board features a first grade student's writing. We have had Adrian for two years and have watched him grow as a student, as a reader and writer, as a mathematician and also as a Scientist. He is the total package! When I think of him in those first early days of kindergarten and then think of the strong young man he is today, I am just bursting with pride. We titled this board from a Wizard of Oz quote, "You are capable of more than you think" and added a beautiful background mural from a scene in the movie with work contributed by all of our first graders.

Adrian's first piece on this bulletin board is from the first day of Kindergarten when he was able to draw a picture with "amoeba" people (circles with arms and legs), tell us a story orally, and write his name.

Adrian entered kindergarten with a strong background, already recognizing letters and sounds and a few sight words. He had been nurtured in the early years by a strong nuclear family where reading and writing were reinforced. He was an eager learner. It wasn't long before Adrian's writing took off.

The board has several more pieces including later kindergarten and early first grade writing. The final piece is a realistic fiction piece, completed a few weeks ago, that is part of a series that he is writing about Dan, the sports guy. Below is the piece and translation.

One day there was a boy named Dan and he likes to play soccer. He has a soccer game. Dan said to his mother, "What happens if I don't make a goal?" Mom said, "It will be fine. OK?"

Then it was time for the soccer game. It started. Dan had the ball first and he ran as fast as he could. Then... he made it go so high it was almost higher than a humongous giant. Then... it made it in the goal.

"That was amazing," said Dan. "One to zero!" shouted one of his team mates. Then BOOM!! "Aaaaaa!" said Dan. He twisted his ankle so he had to stay out. It was half time. Dan was still hurt.

Then the other team scored. "One to one," shouted a player. Then Dan believed he could do it with the twisted ankle, so he went out on the field. He had a plan... He kicked it

with his other foot and the last second he made a goal!!!!!! Then everybody was amazed by him. He was the extraordinary guy on his team so every game he plays, he believes that he wins!!!

Quite a transformation from an "amoeba" family to a complete story with dialogue, a beginning, middle and end, strong vocabulary, pictures with speech bubbles, and even craft! Adrian is so good at so many things, but I wouldn't be surprised if one day I am asking him for his autograph on his first published book!

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About Me

I am a lifelong teacher who is dually certified in both Elementary Education and Special Education. I was Nationally Board Certified in 2002. My friends have affectionately referred to me as the "Queen" since I served my state as the "2004 Florida Teacher of the Year." My number one mission has always been simply "to make a difference."